Sunday, 14 December 2014

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah." A man enquired: "What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?" He said: "Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self- esteem, and despising people ."

Saturday, 13 December 2014

I began blogging as an escape from reality into the world of materialism. A jump into the world that contemporary culture is submerged in. But was this futile to pursue blindly? I would discover, that for myself yes. Do not be mistaken, I still value a piece of attire of craftsmanship and beauty. I will value the beauty incorporated in how one presents themselves forever. Though it is important to separate the art of fashion from the materialism. Every moment of life seems to affirm that everything in life happens for a reason. What we have planned often turns out to be menial in comparison to what life leads us to. One of my favourite verses of the Quran is the following:

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. (2:216)

I work in a luxury environment where everyday I am exposed to the significance of materialism. What I eschew most in the mainstream world of fashion is how people use materialism as a tool for the devaluement of others. I see people constantly feeding their arrogance, thinking there belongings make them better than someone else. What I love about the world of fashion is its beauty. Though, people are using fashion to have the status handbag that out-does there friends or the pursuit of the engagement ring to out-sparkle there sisters. How crazy have we gotten? Life is not a race of who can wear it better, drive it better, or live it better. Life is to seek purpose, to create, and to leave the world a better place then you found it.It is odd how you never know what the future holds. I entered my fourth year, enrolling in this modernity class. I only took it as it fit in my schedule and because it would look good on a medical school application as it was a senior level course. I had no idea what modernity actually attributed to the world. The class turned out to give me a great sense of perspective. When I started seeing the obstacles of modernity and trying to figure out how to overcome them I started turning inwards and towards Islam. The moment I started seeing past the veils of my naivety I attained peace. Modernity has really cut us off from our Ruhs (souls) as we cannot prove its existence. But something does not cease to be if we cannot quantify or qualify it. There is so much in this world we do not know of and so much that does not make sense. Being a Biological Sciences student I have encountered this over and over, yet the functions of things we do not understand are not undermined by our lack of reason. This past semester I spent a lot of time in Jihad-al-Nafs (a struggle of the mind) and through it, I built a connection inwards. It is so easy to get caught up in this world and forget the needs of your soul. The Qawwali Chaap Tillak, by Amir Khusrau, completely defines my disposition in being pulled inwards:

Chhap tillak sab cheeni ray mosay naina
milaikay,

You have snatched my existence in just a
glance,

Prem bhatee ka madhva pilaikay,

By making me drink the wine distilled of
love,

Matvali kar leeni ray mosay naina
milaikay,

You have intoxicated me by just a glance,

Gori gori bayyan, hari hari churiyan,

My fair, delicate wrists with green
bangles,

Bayyan pakar dhar leeni ray mosay naina
milaikay,

Were held tight by you, with just a
glance,

Bal bal jaaon mein toray rang rajwa,

I give my life to you, Oh dyer,

Apni see kar leeni ray mosay naina
milaikay,

You have dyed me in you, by just a glance,

Khusrau Nijaam kay bal bal jayyiye,

I give my life to you, Oh Nizam,

Mohay Suhaagan keeni ray mosay naina
milaikay,

You have made me your bride, in just a
glance,

Chhap tillak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay.

You have snatched my existence in just a
glance.

Sufi text describes a connection with the divine through a love story. I realized this depth just this year and my fathers love of Sufi texts came alive in me. Sufism is such a beautiful view of islam as it rids islam of pure externality. It strives instead to come close to god and work on inward purification rather than external criticism. Coke Studio this season had some beautiful Sufi peaces that had a pronounced effect on me to say the least. Including Abida Parveen's and Rahet Fateh Ali Khan's duo of Chaap Tillak.

I truly feel as if my existence has been changed, there is a certain humility you attain in attaining reason and turning inwards. You realize how small you are. Chaap Tillak so accurately depicts how I was pulled inwards. The connection to the divine is so pure and beautiful it never ceases to pull you closer and closer. The symbolism of a wrist with green (a colour that symbolizes faith) bangles being held tight by a glance to the divine shows this connection so beautifully.

So where is this blog now? I do not want to give it a label, I just want to leave it open to my thoughts. The blog name 'Anarkali Loves Me' was attained from the old love story of Anarkali and Saleem. Though it has developed a deeper meaning for me. In the Quran, pomegranate trees are included within the 4 gardens of Jahnah, paradise/heaven. Anar ki kaliyan (pomegranate flowers) are also symbols of the beauty of the blooming of spring. Allah has bestowed me with all these beauties and certainly there is a certain affection in this, wherein Allah has bestowed me with his attention. 'Anarkali Loves Me' evolves for me as a symbol of how the creation of worldly splendour has, inherently, attributed me with profound affection.

Saturday, 10 May 2014

In March we celebrated my sister's Birthday in a surprise Bollywood party manner! A very Happy Birthday to her, we have truly gone through so much in the past year and being able to cheer her up meant so much to me!

For her birthday we planned a bollywood themed birthday bash, knowing Sonia this was perfect! She is a lover of glitz and glam. For this party, what better venue in YYC then Mango Shiva. Mango Shiva is an authentic Indian restaurant with a tastefully done interior. I have visited Mango Shiva many times and never had a reason to complain. Even this night was perfect the food was amazing and most of the service was great. Only one thing threw me off about the restaurant that night, the manager and our waiter were staring us down awkwardly the whole hour all the guests took to get to the party. But thank god other waitresses and the food made up for it big time! My sister was absolutely floored to say the least.

Sunday, 30 March 2014

The last some months have been probably the hardest of my life. 2013 was life changing, in many ways for the grimmer. I lost my father in October, after he battled in critical condition for 6 months. It seems so unreal that someone can be physically gone forever in an instant, never to return again. Although I know my father is spiritually with me every moment of my life, the absence of his physical presence is something hard to accept.
These type of moments teach you of the real important things in life. They show you how short life is and that truly everyone must taste death. These moments also show you who is really important, for the ones by your side in these moments deserve to be by your side in your better ones.
While my father was in critical condition he communicated by writing, and one of his messages will probably last with me forever. It was that Allah would make me successful and Allah was always with me, not only was that heavily resonating (with the teachings my parents had given us) it characterized my dad to be concerned about us even when he was battling for his life. I think my dads selflessness and huge heart will stay with me the most.
Losses like these do make you question why did he have to go so young without witnessing his "golden years"? Why did he not get to be there for my lives important moments as he so wished to be? Why him?
I think what makes it easier is the belief that he is at peace now and that all of this is out of our hands. Even though it makes me restless imagining the rest of my life without him physically there, I know he is there every moment spiritually.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Recently my shopping addiction has been getting worse! I officially have a problematic shoe addiction! But my two new pieces are definitely critical additions to my shoe closet, perfect for work and play! With clothing being much more accessible these days through large retailers (such as H&M, Forever XII, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, etc) good shoes and accessories can certainly solidify your style credibility.

Among my new additions is a pair of burgundy Prada Monk straps, certainly perfect for work. Recently, I have been in love with monk straps! They instantly add a touch of je ne sai quoi. While being so unique, they are still extremely versatile with all my dress clothes! Since I can only wear basic colours of suits and shirts, my shoes definitely keep it interesting.

My second purchase was a pair of green suede iconic Gucci Horse bit Loafers, perfect for play. They are definitely one of my favourite shoes! They are that perfect pop of colour with any outfit and I love the history behind the horse bit.

If you guys follow this blog closely you may have noticed I am just a little bit enthusiastic about Tom Ford. I had been pining for a pair of Tom Ford glasses ever since I saw them, there popularity among celebrities and stylists only amplified my awe! So when it was time for new glasses what other pair would I pick, but a pair of coveted Tom Ford's. Now people can call my hipster, nerdy, or whatever they like but I love these glasses.

Since glasses are showcased on one of the most pivotal parts of you it is important to pick out a pair you love. I of course have a pair of Versace's that are a lot less exciting, so it was not to hard to go crazy for my second pair. I love the scale of these glasses, the almost cartoonish quality works perfectly with my larger features.